Bruce

[Maz]

I do think there needs to be some flexibility, eg if a hamster is shy or newly settling in and 6" of bedding is not too bad for a dwarf hamster. You might remember that I decided to give Tino less bedding and he's seemed much happier and more sociable since! And enjoys digging down inside his multiroom house. I literally didn't see him for weeks when he had 10" of bedding. And I don't think he was happy with it necessarily - it was a big mess underground - no nice burrows or tunnels - just a big smelly mess lol! Personally I think it's good for them to get some interaction with humans. And you can add more later when they've gained in confidence a bit maybe? Just my view.

 

[Doodleham]

I do think there needs to be some flexibility, eg if a hamster is shy or newly settling in and 6" of bedding is not too bad for a dwarf hamster. You might remember that I decided to give Tino less bedding and he's seemed much happier and more sociable since! And enjoys digging down inside his multiroom house. I literally didn't see him for weeks when he had 10" of bedding. And I don't think he was happy with it necessarily - it was a big mess underground - no nice burrows or tunnels - just a big smelly mess lol! Personally I think it's good for them to get some interaction with humans. And you can add more later when they've gained in confidence a bit maybe? Just my view.

I filled my plazas to just over the top of the tray. But I notice on some FB groups that people get severely bullied for that. And told it's abuse . If they'd seen Some of the hamsters I've rescued over the years before I got them then that's abusive. They've no idea what abuse is. And I'm likely old enough to be their mother Anyway rant over. Lol.

 

[Maz]

Yes some places can be a bit extreme and that's not very nice being accused of things. It's only a couple of years ago that 6" of bedding was the norm and seen as very good! There is the view that very deep bedding is best for them and maybe it is, but I do think there needs to be flexibility, depending on the hamster.

For example with robos - they are much happier with deep bedding and are often out a lot as well. I don't even like the term "ghost hamster" as I think their behaviour depends on various things. For example, Tino would have been described as a ghost hamster for the first 6 months of his life - but he's not any more!

 

[Maz]

Sorry just edited that post above!

 

[Doodleham]

Yes some places can be a bit extreme and that's not very nice being accused of things. It's only a couple of years ago that 6" of bedding was the norm and seen as very good! There is the view that very deep bedding is best for them and maybe it is, but I do think there needs to be flexibility, depending on the hamster.

For example with robos - they are much happier with deep bedding and are often out a lot as well. I don't even like the term "ghost hamster" as I think their behaviour depends on various things. For example, Tino would have been described as a ghost hamster for the first 6 months of his life - but he's not any more!

Exactly they are all individuals and have different wants and needs. They can't tell us but their behaviour can.

 

[Doodleham]

Yes some places can be a bit extreme and that's not very nice being accused of things. It's only a couple of years ago that 6" of bedding was the norm and seen as very good! There is the view that very deep bedding is best for them and maybe it is, but I do think there needs to be flexibility, depending on the hamster.

For example with robos - they are much happier with deep bedding and are often out a lot as well. I don't even like the term "ghost hamster" as I think their behaviour depends on various things. For example, Tino would have been described as a ghost hamster for the first 6 months of his life - but he's not any more!

I'm hoping Bruce gets more keen for interaction. As it's early days yet for him too. However if he doesn't want interaction I'll need to accept that. As I'm not forcing him if he's uncomfortable

 

[Maz]

Of course - I wonder if Waffles likes to come out, if Bruce starts appearing at the bars . Because I remember now that Tino only started being keen on coming out when I got Higgins - I think he got a bit jealous of me talking to Higgins.